Sign holding and framing assembly

ABSTRACT

A sign holding and framing assembly having a holding member pivotally juxtaposed against a frame. A clip member releasably holds the frame and holding member in juxtaposed relation, whereby a sign portion is tightly held therebetween.

United States Patent [191 Egermayer [451 May 27, 1975 SIGN HOLDING AND FRAMING ASSEMBLY [76] lnventor: George W. Egermayer, 1417 Pine Rd., Omaha, Nebr. 68144 [22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 408,473

[52] US. Cl. 40/125 G; 40/156; 160/394; 160/397 [51] Int. Cl. G09f1/12 [58] Field of Search 160/394, 397, 392, 395, 160/371, 378; 40/125 G, 125 K, 152, 156; 38/102.9l

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 885,726 4/1908 Conklin 160/397 X 1,192,838 8/1916 Abel 160/394 X 1,535,408 4/1925 Fricke 40/125 G UX 1,554,858 9/1925 Kopp 1,909,109 5/1933 Kopstein 2,979,842 4/1961 De Ridder 3,143,165 8/1964 Lewis et all 3,758,972 9/1973 Egermayelr 40/125 K Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. lPitrelli Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Henderson & Strom [57] ABSTRACT A sign holding and framing assembly having a holding member pivotally juxtaposed against a frame. A clip member releasably holds the frame and holding member in juxtaposed relation, whereby a sign portion is tightly held therebetween.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] HAYZYIQYS Hil SIGN HOLDING AND FRAMING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When billboards first became prevalent they were prepared with painted advertisings and an artist painted the image on the panels. The next step was to paste preprinted paper signs over the panels on the billboard thus eliminating the need for the artist. To change the sign, the old sign must be covered by paint, or a new sign, or scraped off and then the new sign affixed to the panel. Even in pleasant weather the changing of the sign is difficult in that the painter or sign poster works for long periods of time on precarious perches or walkways, sometimes many feet above the ground. In inclement weather, i.e. wind, cold, precipitation, or dust, the painter cannot paint nor can the sign poster apply paste and paper to the panel.

The artisan applying or changing the sign must be an expert or the results may not be satisfactory. Particularly in the area of paper, the worker must not leave loose ends unpasted which can ultimately cause the sign to deteriorate, the paper must not be applied in an irregular fashion, and furthermore warm water and past must be available at the billboard.

The tremendous expense of removal, scraping, cleaning, and replacing of copy means that the message has to be more institutional than currently dated and thus, this method cannot compete with radio, television, magazines, or newspapers. For example, the election campaign normally does not exceed 3 months. The cost of painting or papering a panel is expensive and only a limited number of candidates can afford the use of this media. Furthermore, we often observe after the election is over that the platform or picture of the candidate is still disposed on billboards for a long period of time. It is therefore obvious that some method must be devised to reduce the cost of this media if it is to remain viable.

Loss of rental income to the outdoor advertising company that posts the billboard is high where there is a long period of time between an old and new posting of the sign. No charge can be made until the sign has been actually posted. It is the consensus, among outdoor advertising executives, that their signs are out of production about 25 percent of the time, even though they are sold, because they are not speedily posted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a billboard and more particularly to a sign holding and framing assembly. The assembly includes a rectangular shaped frame formed from a pair of end elements interconnected at their top ends by a top element and at their bottom ends by a bottom element. Elongated holding members are pivotally connected to each of the elements and each is held in place by at least one clip member. Corner holding elements coact with adjacent elements to releasably secure the elements together.

A sign, having advertising imprinted thereon, can be mounted on the frame and secured thereto by the holding members and clips in the shop and carried to the site for immediate mounting in a sign housing thus negating the need for highly trained artisans to spend many hours at the site while painting or pasting a sign on a billboard panel. In the event it is desired to move an assembly from one site to another site it can readily be removed and transported. Thus the life and value of one sign can be substantially increased. The sign is also more adaptable to seasonal displays or limited showings, i.e. department store sales, sporting events, theatricals, etc.

Due to the simplicity of the no paste posting method, it is not unreasonable to assume that one laborer can post as many as one hundred boards in a single eight hour period. A substantial savings will be realized by the outdoor advertising company because the exchange of signs at the point of location can be accomplished during the most favorable conditions, non-business hours when the traffic is light and parking is convenient.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an assembly for a billboard which is readily postable with a sign and which can be easily transported.

Another object of this invention is to provide an assembly which permits quick and easy changes of the sign.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an assembly which is light in weight and thus easily transported.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an assembly which releasably receives a sign without requiring the use of highly trained and costly sign painters or paperers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an assembly which can be constructed without costly tools, assembled with a minimum of labor, erected without the use of large equipment, is light in weight and not costly.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an assembly which is not painted or papered at the site of the billboard but which can be easily affixed with a sign by unskilled labor in the plant under controlled conditions.

A further object of this invention is to provide an assembly which can readily be mounted or removed from a billboard housing in inclement weather.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an assembly which is economical or manufacture, and extremely simple, economical and functional in use.

These objects and other features and advantages of this will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings as hereinafter described, a preferred embodiment is described however modifications and alternate construction can be made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the sign holding and framing assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3 3 in FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4 4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the corner holding element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the sign holding and framing assembly of this invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The assembly is detachably mounted in a billboard having a top, bottom, and a pair (only one being shown) of end strips 1 1, l2, and 13 respectively. The strips are interconnected at their ends to form a rectangular housing 14 which is supportable in a vertical position by a pair of posts or the like (not shown). The preferred embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 1 as having a sign 16 mounted therein, is releasably mounted in the housing 14 (FIG. 2) by locking devices 17 which are secured to the housing 14.

The assembly (FIG. 1) includes generally a frame member 18, a holding member 19 and a plurality of clip members 21. More specifically, the frame member 18 (FIGS. 1 and 4) consists of four elongated elements; top 22, and bottom 23, and two sides 24 (only one being shown) which are butted together at their ends to form a rectangular member. Each element is identical, therefore only one will be described hereinafter. The side element (FIG. 4) is elongated and hollow, and has a bottom strip 26, opposed side strips 27 and 28, and a top strip 29 each integrally connected to its adjacent strips thus forming an internal cavity 31 therebetween. Each side strip 27 and 28 has a deep U shaped groove 30 formed therein running the full length of the strip. The grooves are opposed and the inner walls thereof in effect divide the cavity into two compartments. The top strip 29 is substantially arcuate in shape and has a pair of L shaped arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each arm has a base leg 32 secured on one end to the top strip and on the other end to one end of a cross leg 33. The free end of the cross leg projects outwardly of the base leg 32 and is substantially parallel to the top strip disposed adjacent thereto. Secured to the free end of the cross leg is a flange 34 which is rounded and which rounded portion projects toward the top strip. The base legs 32 are parallel and the cross legs are opposed in that they project away from each other and at a slight angle to their respective base legs. Each flange, cross leg, base leg and the portion of the top strip disposed opposite its respective cross leg form an indent 35. The flange rounded portion provides a pivot seat 36 for a purpose hereinafter defined. A plurality of spaced holes 37 are formed in the top strip, between the base legs 32 for a purpose hereinafter defined.

The holding member 19 (FIGS. 1 and 3) consists of four slats each having a length corresponding to the length of one of the elements 22, 23 and 24. Each slat has a protuberance 38 projecting from one side thereof and running the full length thereof. Formed in the other side of each slat, opposite the protuberance 38 is a channel 39. The upper end of each slat is flanged to provide an arcuate shaped trough 41 which projects inwardly in the same direction as the proturbance 38. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that when the trough 41 is hooked under the seat 36 the slat 19 is in juxtaposition with the side strip 28 and the protuberance 41 is seated in the groove 30.

The clip member 21 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is substantially U shaped in cross section and includes a base 42 which interconnects two parallel legs 43 and 44 at their upper ends. The outside leg 43 has a rounded inwardly projecting ridge 46 integral with and disposed proximate its free end. The free end of the inside leg 44 terminates in a rounded rim 47 which is directed inwardly toward the outer wall. It will be observed that when the holding member is mounted in juxtaposition with the strip 27 or 28, the clip member 21 locks it in position, with the outside leg 43in juxtaposition with the holding member 19, the ridge 46 seated in the channel 39, the inside leg projecting through the opening 37, and the rim 47 hooked over the inside wall of the groove 30.

The frame elements 22, 23 and 24 (FIG. 1) have mitered ends, with corner holding units 48 (FIGS. 3 and 5) holding the mitered ends in smooth abutting relationship. Each corner holding unit 48 has two legs 49 and 51 joined together in an L shape. In cross section each corner holding unit 48 is T shaped with a head portion 52 having opposed slots 53 formed therein and a tail portion 54 depending therefrom. The surface of the head portion 52 is beveled to correspond to the inner surface of the top strip 29 and the upper surface of the inner wall of the groove 30, and the width of the tail portion 54 is equal to or slightly greater than the distance between the inner walls of the two opposed grooves 30. The dimensions of the head portion are also equal to or slightly greater than the dimensions of the upper compartment of the cavity 31 wherein a press or snug fit is required to mount the corner holding unit in the frame ends of adjacent slats. The slots 53 are provided to assist in the assembly of the adjacent elements wherein they permit the sections of the head portion to give slightly.

In use the holding elements 22, 23 and 24 are assembled together with corner holding units 48, and are then ready to receive signs 16. The frame member is placed in a horizontal position and a Sign 16 is placed thereon with its edges projecting at least beyond the grooves 30. Each holding member 19 is positioned with the trough 41 seated on the seat 36 and then pivoted from an open position to a closed position with the protuberance disposed in the grove 30. The holding clips are then snapped into position as discussed hereinabove.

It will be noted that the sign 16 is tightly positioned on the frame member with the holding member clamped over the edges because the groove 30 and protuberance 38 not only provides excellent holding characteristics but in assembly causes the sign to be stretched tautly across the frame member. Due to the symmetry of the frame member and by utilizing another set of holding members and clip members a sign can be mounted on the other side of the frame member thus permitting observation from both sides or permitting one sign to be stored. When it is desired to remove a sign the process of assembly is reversed. In some instances and particularly when both signs are displayed with one on each side of the billboard it is desirable to provide additional protection by mounting a screen or protective covering 56 (FIG. 2) over the sign. The edges of the cover are disposed between the groove and protuberance in juxtaposition with the edges of the sign.

In the event a lighted sign is desired opening 57 (FIG. 1) is formed in the bottom strip 26 distal the ends thereof and wiring can be disposed in the bottom compartment of the cavity 31.

Although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed herein, it is to be remembered that various modifications and alternate constructions can be made without departing from the full scope of the invention as hereinabove defined.

I claim:

1. A sign holding and framing assembly for holding at least one sign, the sign holding and framing assembly comprising:

frame means comprising a plurality of sides enclosing an open area, at least one of said sides having a pivot seat formed therein and a groove spaced inwardly from said pivot seat, said groove extending the full peripheral length of said frame means, said groove provided to receive the edge of the sign;

an elongated slat, said slat having a protuberance projecting laterally from adjacent one side edge of said slot, said protuberance being shaped to conform to said groove and an arcuate trough formed in the other side edge of said slot, said trough pivotally mounted on said pivot seat said slat being pivotal from an open position to a closed position wherein said protuberance seats in said groove; and

clip means releasably secured to said frame means and said slat for locking said slat in a said closed position.

2. A sign holding and framing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means is an element having a bottom strip, a pair of spaced side strips secured to said bottom strip, a top strip secured to said side strips and spaced from said bottom strip thus providing a cavity therebetween, and an L shaped arm secured to said top strip intermediate said side strips; said arm includes a base leg having a one end secured to said top strip and having another end projecting outwardly thereof, and a cross leg having a one end secured to said base leg other end and having a free end spaced from one of said side strips, wherein said cross leg free end having a rounded flange formed thereon which projects toward said top strip thus providing said pivot seat; said arm, said top strip and said flange defining an indent; and said one side strip having said groove formed therein wherein the inner wall of said groove projects into said cavity.

3. A sign holding and framing assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said slat has a channel formed therein opposite said protuberance; said top strip has a slot formed therein inwardly of said arm; and said clip means is a U shaped clip having an inside leg with a base end and a free end, an outside leg disposed parallel to said inside leg with a base end and a free end, a base interconnecting said inside and outside legs base ends, a ridge formed on said outside leg proximate its free end and projecting toward said inside leg, and a rounded rim formed on said inside leg free end and projecting toward said outside leg; wherein said ridge seats in said channel, said inside leg extends into said slot and said rim seats against said groove inner wall thus releasably locking said clip to said slat and said groove inner wall for locking said slat to said element.

4. A sign holding and framing assembly for holding at least one sign, the sign holding and framing assembly comprising:

a frame element having a bottom strip, a pair of spaced side strips secured to said bottom strip, a top strip secured to said side strips and spaced from said bottom strip thus providing a cavity therebetween, a pair of spaced L shaped arms secured to said top strip intermediate said side strips, and a slot formed in said top strip between said arms; each arm including a base leg having a one end secured to said top strip and having another end projecting outwardly thereof, and a cross leg having a one end secured to said base leg other end and having a free end projecting outwardly thereof, wherein said base legs are parallelly disposed and said cross legs are disposed substantially parallel to said top strip with said cross legs free ends projecting away from each other; each said cross leg free end having a rounded flange formed thereon which projects toward said top strip thus providing a pivot seat on each side of said element; each said arm and said top strip forming an indent; each said side strip having a groove formed therein wherein the inner wall of one of said grooves projects toward the inner wall of the other said groove in said cava pair of opposed holding slats, each said slat having a protuberance projecting therefrom and an arcuate trough formed in one: end thereof distal said protuberance, said trough pivotally mounted on said pivot seat said slat being pivotable from an open position to a closed position wherein said protuberance seats in said groove; and

a pair of U shaped clips, each said clip having an inside leg with a base end and a free end, an outside leg disposed parallel to said inside leg with a base end and a free end, a base interconnecting said inside and outside legs base ends, a ridge formed on said outside leg proximate its free end and projecting toward said inside leg, and a rounded rim formed on said inside leg free end and projecting toward said outside leg; wherein said ridge seats in said channel, said inside leg extends into said slot and said rim seats against said groove inner wall thus releasably locking said holding clip to said slat and said groove inner wall for locking said slat to said element.

5. A sign holding and framing assembly as defined in claim 4 including a corner holding unit for securing adjacent frame elements together, said holding unit in cross section is T shaped with a head portion having opposed slots formed therein and a tail portion secured to said head portion and depending therefrom, wherein said head portion seats in a press fit in said cavity between said top strip and said grooves and said tail portion is disposed in a press fit between said grooves inner 

1. A sign holding and framing assembly for holding at least one sign, the sign holding and framing assembly comprising: frame means comprising a plurality of sides enclosing an open area, at least one of said sides having a pivot seat formed therein and a groove spaced inwardly from said pivot seat, said groove extending the full peripheral length of said frame means, said groove provided to receive the edge of the sign; an elongated slat, said slat having a protuberance projecting laterally from adjacent one side edge of said slot, said protuberance being shaped to conform to said groove and an arcuate trough formed in the other side edge of said slot, said trough pivotally mounted on said pivot seat said slat being pivotal from an open position to a closed position wherein said protuberance seats in said groove; and clip means releasably secured to said frame means and said slat for locking said slat in a said closed position.
 2. A sign holding and framing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means is an element having a bottom strip, a pair of spaced side strips secured to said bottom strip, a top strip secured to said side strips and spaced from said bottom strip thus providing a cavity therebetween, and an L shaped arm secured to said top strip intermediate said side strips; said arm includes a base leg having a one end secured to said top strip and having another end projecting outwardly thereof, and a cross leg having a one end secured to said base leg other end and having a free end spaced from one of said side strips, wherein said cross leg free end having a rounded flange formed thereon which projects toward said top strip thus providing said pivot seat; said arm, said top strip and said flange defining an indent; and said one side strip having said groove formed theRein wherein the inner wall of said groove projects into said cavity.
 3. A sign holding and framing assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said slat has a channel formed therein opposite said protuberance; said top strip has a slot formed therein inwardly of said arm; and said clip means is a U shaped clip having an inside leg with a base end and a free end, an outside leg disposed parallel to said inside leg with a base end and a free end, a base interconnecting said inside and outside legs base ends, a ridge formed on said outside leg proximate its free end and projecting toward said inside leg, and a rounded rim formed on said inside leg free end and projecting toward said outside leg; wherein said ridge seats in said channel, said inside leg extends into said slot and said rim seats against said groove inner wall thus releasably locking said clip to said slat and said groove inner wall for locking said slat to said element.
 4. A sign holding and framing assembly for holding at least one sign, the sign holding and framing assembly comprising: a frame element having a bottom strip, a pair of spaced side strips secured to said bottom strip, a top strip secured to said side strips and spaced from said bottom strip thus providing a cavity therebetween, a pair of spaced L shaped arms secured to said top strip intermediate said side strips, and a slot formed in said top strip between said arms; each arm including a base leg having a one end secured to said top strip and having another end projecting outwardly thereof, and a cross leg having a one end secured to said base leg other end and having a free end projecting outwardly thereof, wherein said base legs are parallelly disposed and said cross legs are disposed substantially parallel to said top strip with said cross leg''s free ends projecting away from each other; each said cross leg free end having a rounded flange formed thereon which projects toward said top strip thus providing a pivot seat on each side of said element; each said arm and said top strip forming an indent; each said side strip having a groove formed therein wherein the inner wall of one of said grooves projects toward the inner wall of the other said groove in said cavity; a pair of opposed holding slats, each said slat having a protuberance projecting therefrom and an arcuate trough formed in one end thereof distal said protuberance, said trough pivotally mounted on said pivot seat said slat being pivotable from an open position to a closed position wherein said protuberance seats in said groove; and a pair of U shaped clips, each said clip having an inside leg with a base end and a free end, an outside leg disposed parallel to said inside leg with a base end and a free end, a base interconnecting said inside and outside legs base ends, a ridge formed on said outside leg proximate its free end and projecting toward said inside leg, and a rounded rim formed on said inside leg free end and projecting toward said outside leg; wherein said ridge seats in said channel, said inside leg extends into said slot and said rim seats against said groove inner wall thus releasably locking said holding clip to said slat and said groove inner wall for locking said slat to said element.
 5. A sign holding and framing assembly as defined in claim 4 including a corner holding unit for securing adjacent frame elements together, said holding unit in cross section is T shaped with a head portion having opposed slots formed therein and a tail portion secured to said head portion and depending therefrom, wherein said head portion seats in a press fit in said cavity between said top strip and said grooves and said tail portion is disposed in a press fit between said grooves inner walls. 